A group of four interns will complete a ten-week internship at High Rocks from early June to mid-August. The internship has two main components—seminars and hands-on experience working with teen girls. Interns support staff in summer programs (camps and trips), work as mentors with individual teens, and complete an original curriculum of reading, reflection and discussion designed to enrich their teaching work. This creative and unique experience will help you grow as a leader, a thinker, and a doer. Our internship is rigorous emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
Camps are the heart of High Rocks. Interns serve as mentors, role models, and teachers during the two camps: New Beginnings for 7th grade girls (12 days) and Camp Steele for 8th-12th graders (15 days). Before camp, interns help prepare the campground and plan clas-ses. During camp they are paired with a master teacher to assist in a class that teaches diverse subject areas such as math, science, and creative expressions. At the end of the day you will get to enjoy campfires, skits, hikes, stargazing, and ultimate Frisbee in the field!
Our most successful interns are extroverted and/or service oriented, deep-thinkers, open-minded, creative, flexible, and looking for a challenge. You need a desire for adventure, a sense of humor, an intense work ethic, and a passion for the High Rocks mission to educate, empower, and inspire young West Virginia women.
Service Activities
SEMINARS and SERVICE
Interns engage in a series of seminars at the beginning of the summer on community
development, social justice, Appalachia, and education. These sessions help set context and open a discussion space for the rest of the summer. Interns will complete background readings; engage in discussions led by seminar leaders; and write short reflections. The majority of the internship is hands-on, hearts-on work with youth. Interns will work with High Rocks girls to run service activities and meet community members.
CAMPS
Camps are the heart of High Rocks. Interns serve as mentors, role models, and teachers during the two camps: New Beginnings for 7th grade girls (12 days) and Camp Steele for 8th-12th graders (15 days). Before camp, interns help prepare the campground and plan classes. During camp they are paired with a master teacher to assist in a class that teaches diverse subject areas such as math, science, and creative expressions. At the end of the day you will get to enjoy campfires, skits, hikes, stargazing, and ultimate Frisbee in the field!
PROJECTS
As part of the experience, each intern designs, completes, and
presents an individual project to connect their previous expertise
and academic interests with what they’ve learned at High Rocks.
Interns will work with staff to develop a project proposal and
present the completed project during Camp Steele. The summer concludes with the interns working as a group to envision and
execute their own personal contribution to the High Rocks for
their group project.
Community Need Addressed
Lack of transformative educational and service-learning opportunities for youth
Position Outcomes
Increase educational and academic enrichment opportunities such as tutoring, community service, college preparation, leadership development, mentoring and
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Housing, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
mentoring, teaching, team building, leadership, outdoor skills, gardening, communication, cultural competency
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment